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N.H.L. Players’ Rivalry Has No Borders

PRAGUE — In the most highly anticipated Kontinental Hockey League contest since the N.H.L. lockout began 24 days ago, Alexander Ovechkin and Zdeno Chara continued their rivalry Tuesday, skating for their newest clubs, Dynamo Moscow and HC Lev Praha.

Ovechkin lifted Dynamo to a 1-0 victory when the Czech goaltender Tomas Popperle mishandled the puck early in the third period, and Ovechkin swept it backward while facing opposite the net and being knocked to the ice in a scrum.

“The goalie made a mistake, and I didn’t see it when I shot it,” Ovechkin said. “I just put the puck on net, and it went in.”

Ovechkin has contributed four goals and five assists in eight games with the Moscow franchise with whom he began his professional career with in 2001. Led by Ovechkin, Dynamo has won six consecutive games, climbing to the top of the K.H.L. Western Conference.

A league-record crowd of 16,317 watched the contest, televised live throughout Europe and Russia and on ESPN2, at O2 Arena.

“It’s really nice to see so many fans show up, especially with someone like Ovi, who is always going to attract people,” said Chara, who played his second game with Lev Praha, an expansion franchise. “There’s not too many chances for people over here to see such great N.H.L. players.”

Afterward, Ovechkin again said that he was prepared to remain in Russia if the N.H.L. lockout continued.

“I enjoy playing here,” said Ovechkin, who reportedly earns $6 million, $3 million less than what he would have made with the Washington Capitals.

“I feel the trust and I feel comfortable.”

In less than six months, Ovechkin and Chara have battled each other for three different teams each. In the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last April, Ovechkin and the Capitals defeated Chara and the Boston Bruins in a seven-game series. In May, Ovechkin and the Russian national team beat Chara and his native Slovakia in the International Ice Hockey Federation world championship final.

Photo

Led by Ovechkin, Dynamo Moscow defeated Chara and Lev Praha, 1-0, in the K.H.L.Credit
Petr David Josek/Associated Press

Chara, the 2009 Norris Trophy winner as the N.H.L.’s top defenseman, played nearly 20 minutes, but unlike previous matches, there was minimal contact between he and Ovechkin.

Chara signed with Lev Praha last week . He joined more than 100 N.H.L. players who have decided to play overseas.

“It’s actually been really good here,” the 6-foot-9 Chara said. “Obviously, it’s quite different than what I’m used to, but that’s what makes the overall experience so much better.”

Chara, 35, a six-time all-star, also addressed the lockout.

“Eight years ago, we pretty much agreed to what the owners wanted,” he said. “Pretty much the whole system and the whole negotiations were done for their advantage. And now they’re saying it’s not working and it’s not something that they can go on with.

“They’re trying to take even more, and I don’t think that’s right, I don’t think that’s fair and certainly it’s not healthy for the game,” he added.

A version of this article appears in print on October 10, 2012, on page B14 of the New York edition with the headline: N.H.L. Players’ Rivalry Has No Borders. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe